Refunds on Elmbridge parking fines
Thousands of people have wrongly been given more than £300,000 worth of fines
Thousands of people, wrongly given more than £300,000 worth of parking fines in Surrey, can claim for refunds.
Elmbridge Borough Council had been handing out parking fines across 12 of its sites, without the legal powers to do so, dating back as far as 2020.
It spotted the error when updating its parking terms and conditions and has since gone about the process of rolling out its refund scheme.
The council has said it stress-tested the application process and, so long as people can demonstrate proof of payment and vehicle registration details, expects the repayments to go ahead without hitch.
Strategic director at Elmbridge Borough Council, Dawn Crewe, said: “We are very sorry that a procedural error led to some parking fines being issued incorrectly.
“Once we identified the issue, we worked quickly to put things right and introduce a refund scheme.
“We have designed the process to be as straightforward as possible so that anyone affected can reclaim their money, and we aim to issue refunds within two weeks.
“If you think you may be eligible, please check the details on our website and submit a claim.”
Council bosses said fines were incorrectly handed out to 9,318 people fined at 17 of its car parks across towns in Esher, Cobham, Hersham, Walton-on-Thames and Weybridge.
It affected 12 car parks for fines covering early mornings and evenings from January 6, 2020, as well as 17 car parks on Sundays since April 24, 2022.
They said the issue was a procedural error which meant enforcement officers did not have the legal powers to issue tickets because the council failed to carry out a full consultation over their introductions.
Ms Crewe said “As soon as we identified the error we learned from the mistake and put new procedures in place to ensure it can not happen again.”
The money will be drawn from the council’s reserves and not affect day-to-day services or its annual budget.
The council became aware of the problem in March with the refund scheme launching in June to ensure it was lawful, fair and applied consistently.
Successful claims will be repaid within two weeks with a deadline to claim set as March 2037 before the council is merged into East Surrey.
Full list of car parks where incorrect fines issued
Parking fines issued between 8am to 9am, and between 6pm to 7pm, in the following car parks since January 6, 2020, may be eligible for a refund:
Berguette, Esher Civic Centre, Esher Heather Place, Esher Highwayman’s Cottage, Esher Cedar Road, Cobham Hollyhedge Road, Cobham Drewitt’s Court, Walton-on-Thames Manor Road, Walton-on-Thames Churchfield Road, Weybridge Monument Hill, Weybridge Baker Street, Weybridge For Ashley Park car park in Walton-on-Thames, parking fines issued between 8am to 10am or between 6pm to 7pm, since January 6, 2020, may be eligible for a refund.
Parking fines issued on Sundays since April 24, 2022, in the following car parks may be eligible for a refund:
Berguette, Esher Civic Centre, Esher Heather Place, Esher Highwayman’s Cottage, Esher Cedar Road, Cobham Hollyhedge Road, Cobham Mayfield Road, Hersham Ashley Park, Walton-on-Thames Drewitt’s Court, Walton-on-Thames Manor Road, Walton-on-Thames Station Avenue, Walton-on-Thames Walton Park, Walton-on-Thames Churchfield Road, Weybridge Monument Hill, Weybridge Baker Street, Weybridge Heath North, Weybridge Heath South, Weybridge How to claim a refund
Refund applications will be online at elmbridge.gov.uk from 9am on June 3 or by phoning directly (01372 474 474).